Cressida had no retort. It was clear she didn’t like this because her face went hard and her nose scrunched.
Magdalene dismissed her and looked at me.
“My apologies, Leah. I’m deeply sorry we’ve intruded on you and my son only for you to be treated to this behavior.”
“Good Christ,” Etienne muttered in clear contempt. “Apologies to a concubine?”
I so did not like Lucien’s father.
But with effort I ignored him, held Magdalene’s eyes and said quietly, “Thank you.”
She nodded to me and her face went soft.
I so did like Lucien’s mother.
I smiled at her, picked up my spoon and forced myself to take a bite of dessert. I was right. Lots of whipped cream with a hint of strawberries and chunks of moist, rich yellow cake. I was also wrong. Even the antics of Lucien’s crazy family didn’t make me not enjoy Edwina’s scrumptious dessert.
Edwina was a genius.
I was scooping up more dessert when I heard in my head, I’m proud of you, pet.
I kept my attention on my bowl when I replied, Thank you, darling.
Only when I swallowed my next bite did I look to Lucien.
His eyes were on me.
I grinned.
He grinned back.
I liked that. Therefore my grin got bigger and I gave him a smile I had no idea was dazzling. Not even when Lucien’s eyes warmed and his face got soft upon witnessing it.
Then I turned my attention back to my bowl and thus missed his family again exchanging glances.
Some were relieved. Some were hard.
All were knowing.
* * * * *
It was after dessert and coffee. Lucien had come down to my end of the table to pull out my chair, help me up and guide me out of the room with his hand at the small of my back.
We were walking through the double doors when I saw Magdalene and Isobel were hovering. As was Cressida, if further away. Julian and Etienne were moving to the formal living room which I found a relief.
No lounging in the comfy seating area off the kitchen for Etienne. No way.
I was wondering if I could tell them I needed to powder my nose and Lucien had to help me whereupon I would barricade us in our bathroom until they all went away when Magdalene came forward and wrapped her fingers around my elbow.
“Girl talk,” she said on a smile tipped up to her son.
I felt Lucien’s body get tight even as mine did the same.
“Oh goodie!” Cressida exclaimed.
My body got tighter and Lucien’s hand pressed into the small of my back
“Magdalene said ‘girl talk’, Cressida, not cat talk,” Isobel stated instantly,
Cressida sliced her a look but Lucien relaxed and I did too.
“I’ll behave,” Cressida declared, I knew lying through her teeth.
“No you won’t,” Isobel returned, knowing, better than me, Cressida was full of it.
“Reap what you sow,” Magdalene stated in her quiet voice. “You came here full of curiosity, like a cat, and recklessly indulged yourself in that curiosity, like a cat. Now you bear the consequences.”
Not giving Cressida the opportunity to reply, but I got a funny feeling I didn’t like all that much when her angry eyes cut through me, Magdalene drew me away. Then I saw Lucien give his daughter a look and felt his hand slide around my waist to curl at its side.
I stopped and looked up at him just in time for his mouth to touch mine.
When his head lifted slightly, he said gently but I still knew it was an order, “Don’t be long.”
I nodded. I could do not long. I could definitely do not long.
I had to say, it freaked me out he was so cautious about me being with his family. Sure, they were strange and he’d forewarned me about Cressida and Etienne but I sensed there was more.
I needed to ask him, Edwina or Stephanie about this. I didn’t know if I missed this when I missed my studies. Perhaps concubines didn’t socialize with a vampire’s family and his was just weird or weirdly nosy. I did know, whatever was happening, Lucien didn’t like it.
He let me go and Magdalene drew me away. I followed as did Isobel. Neither woman talked even after we moved outside. And they continued their silence as they moved me to the trail that led to the pier.
I knew what this meant. They didn’t want their family’s vampire hearing to catch our conversation.
I wasn’t certain this was good.
I was so uncertain, we walked in silence to the pier and when we arrived I was a bundle of nerves.
“You can relax, Leah, we’re all friends here,” Magdalene assured me softly as we moved onto the wooden slats, the serenity of the lake all around us. A serenity that did nothing to calm me. She could hear my heart, I knew, and read me.
“We just wanted to apologize personally for showing up out-of-the blue and bringing Etienne and Cressida,” Isobel added when we stopped. “I hope you see they both need to be handled with care.”
Oh, I saw that all right.
“Of course,” I murmured.
“When we return to the house, we’ll do our best to conclude the visit swiftly,” Magdalene told me.
“No, that’s unnecessary,” I semi-lied seeing as I liked them. I just didn’t like Etienne and Cressida. “Stay as long as you like. Lucien is enjoying his time with you.” That last was also a semi-lie.
They’d both known Lucien for a long time (and that long for them was long) therefore they both burst into laughter.
Slightly sobering, Magdalene’s hand came up and squeezed my bicep before she dropped it and said, “I appreciate the sacrifice you’d make for my son but as gracious as that is, we’ll do our best to conclude the visit.”
“Okay,” I whispered then rallied, “But, just so you know,” I emphasized the “you” so they’d understand exactly which “yous” I was talking about, “you’re welcome anytime. Edwina likes company, so do I and Lucien has shared with me his fondness for the both of you.”
“That’s very kind, Leah,” Isobel replied softly.
“And to return the kindness,” Magdalene pulled a business card shaped piece of paper out of the pocket of her awesome, tailored, loose-legged slacks and offered it to me, “this is our contact information. Bel’s and mine. If you should need anything,” her eyes held mine, hers communicating something I didn’t get but something I wasn’t sure I liked, “anything, Leah, call on us.”
What was this all about?
Taking the card from her, cautiously I asked, “Are you talking about the trouble Lucien is in?”